Energy conversion system utilizing exothermic reactions

ABSTRACT

An energy conversion system utilizing a working fluid having at least two components that are chemically reactive so that desired exothermic reactions can be developed at one or more selected points in the system so that the vapor quality of the working fluid is either increased or maintained.

FIP8502 I United States Patent 1151 3,705,317

Prem 51 Dec. 5, 1972 s41 ENERGY CONVERSION SYSTEM 3.401.277 9/1968Larson ..31o/11 UTILIZING EXOTHERMIC 3,430,081 2/1969 Zauderer.....REACTIONS 3,513,336 5/1970 Prem ..310/11 [72] Inventor: Lawrence L.Prem, Tarzana, Calif. Primary Examiner-D. X slimy [73] Ass1gnee: 201111American Rockwell Corpora- Lee Humphries et aL [22] Filed: Oct. 4, 1971[57] ABSTRACT [2]] App]. No.: 186,210 An energy conversion systemutilizing a working fluid having at least two components that arechemically [52] US. Cl. ..310/11 "active that desi'ed exmhemic "mums canbe [511 Int. Cl. ..II02n 4/02 dcvehtped at one or more Selected PointSin the [581 Field 1: Search ..310/11 system so that the vapor quality ofthe working fluid is either increased or maintained.

[56] CM 1 20 Claims, 1 Drawing Figures UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,158,764ll/l964 Elliot ..3l0/l1 MHD GENERATOR 1s 40 i 1 34 FLOW FLOW REGULATORLOAD REGULATOR FLOW l I FLOW 54 REGULATOR REGULATOR HEAT 6O f 32 I6 SINK22 52 i 14 FLOW 2 REGULATOR 3 50 i HEAT L SOURCE SEPARATOR PAIENTEDUEL5:912 3.705317 SHEET 1 BF 2 MHD I GENERATOR 40 34 FLOW I FLOW 2 7REGULATOR\ LOAD FLOW REGuLAToR FLOW l 1 REGuLAToR REGuLAToR HETAT s4 60T '6'}: 2/2 SINK /-52 FLOW T 2 REGuLAToR 3o 50 HEAT L souRcE I SEPARATORFIG I VELOCITY FIG. 2

VAPOR PERCENT BY WEIGHT DISTANCE MASS DISTANCE PATENTEDnEc 5mm 3.705.317

SHEET 2 0F 2 80 96 98 7o I08 K BQ TANK V FLOW J '02 MHD F REGULATORGENERATOR TANK 4* 7es\ 7a 7' 6 as 92- 94 82 no FLOW LOAD 74 I REGULATOR\90 l 1 88 I04 HEAT SOURCE A 4 SEPARATOR FIG. 5

5 TANK W 80A 96A n2 FIG. 6

ENERGY CONVERSION SYSTEM UTILIZING EXOTI-IERMIC REACTIONS BACKGROUND OFTHE INVENTION A magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) energy conversion system has aMHD generator that converts the kinetic energy of an electricallyconductive working fluid into electrical energy by moving the workingfluid through a primary or applied magnetic field that is set up acrossthe MHD generator. The interaction of the moving fluid and the primarymagnetic field induces an electrical field with current flow in adirection that is mutually perpendicular to both the direction of thefluid motion and the magnetic field. Such a MHD energy conversion systemis disclosed in [1.8. Letters Pat. No. 3,320,444 issued May 16, 1967 andassigned to the same assignee as the present invention.

Known MHD systems heat a working fluid and partially vaporize the fluid.The thermal energy of the resulting stream of vapor-rich working fluidis converted into kinetic energy by expansion in a nozzle stage. Theresulting high-velocity, vapor-rich fluid is a relatively inferiorelectrical conductor and, therefore, must have its electricalcharacteristics altered so that the MHD generator sees an electricallyconductive working fluid. The vapor-rich working fluid has a substantialportion of its vapor fraction condensed by the injection of a liquid,preferably subcooled, that increases the liquid percent of the totalvolume of the working fluid and decreases the vapor percent volume. Thisfree exchange of thermal energy between the vapor-rich fluid and theinjected liquid further results in the transfer of kinetic energy to theinjected liquid so that both a high velocity and an electricallyconductive working fluid passes through the MHD generator where thekinetic energy is converted into an electrical energy output for anexternal load.

Although these known MHD systems operate satisfactorily. the overallefficiencies of such systems are reduced for several reasons. The singlenozzle stage for expansion results in a desired high-velocity workingfluid, but for practical purposes, the velocity is too high for theefficient conversionof the total kinetic energy of the working fluidinto electrical energy. It would be desirable, therefore, to haveseveral expansion stages in series. However, the liquid injection, whichis necessary so that the MI-ID generator can see an electricallyconductive working fluid, substantially reduces the vapor quality of theworking fluid so that the desired series of expansion stages becomeimpractical and inefficient.

It is also desirable to reduce thermal losses in energy conversionsystems by adding heat energy to the system at selected points in thesystem and increasing the vapor quality of the system working fluid.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of the inventionto providea new and improved energy conversion system selectivelymaintaining the vapor quality of a working fluid.

It is an object of the invention to provide an energy conversion systemthat develops exothermic reactions at a selected point or points in thesystem.

It is an object of the invention to provide an energy conversion systemhaving improved conversion of the total kinetic energy of the systemworking fluid into electrical energy.

It is an object of the invention to provide an energy conversion systemhaving improved conversion of the total pressure energy of the systemworking fluid into kinetic energy.

It is an object of the invention to provide a magnetohydrodynamic (MHD)energy conversion system selectively increasing the vapor quality of aworking fluid by the addition of heat energy developed in the workingfluid.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Briefly, in accordance with the invention, anenergy conversion system is provided having a working fluid with atleast first and second separable components that develop an exothermicreaction when recombined. The working fluid passes through a heat sourceand separator where the first and second components are separated, andthe vapor quality of the first component is increased. The secondcomponent is selectively recombined with the first component at one ormore selected injection points so that any system reduction in vaporquality or any desired pressure increase is increased or developed. Theworking fluid with its adjusted and controlled vapor quality isintroduced into an energy conversion means where the working fluidenergy is converted to a selected energy output.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a schematic of one form ofmagnetohydrodynamic (MHD) energy conversion system of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a graph of the velocity of one working fluid through aselected portion of the MHD system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a graph of the vapor percent by weight of one working fluidthrough a selected portion of the MHD system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a graph of the mass of one working fluid through a selectedportion of the MHD system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a schematic of one form of energy'conversion system of theinvention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic of a portion of another form of energy conversionsystem of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic of a portion of another form of energy conversionsystem of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring to FIG. 1, a magnetohydrodynarnic(MHD) energy conversion system 10 is illustrated that utilizes amulti-component working fluid having components that are chemicallyreactive under controlled conditions so that a desired exothermicreaction can be developed at selected points in the MHD system. Thecontrolled addition of thermal energy to the working fluid throughexothermic reaction between the components of the fluid maintains thevapor quality of the working fluid stream at a substantially constantvalue which permits several expansion stages in the MHD system 10 asdescribed hereinafter in more detail.

The MHD system 10 of HG. 1 has a return conduit 12 that passes a workingfluid of the system into a conventional heat source and separator unit14. The working fluid has potassium (K) as a first component and mercury(Hg) as a second component, although it is contemplated that otherworking fluids having components which develop the desired exothermicreaction can also be used, such as sodium (Na) and potassium. Thepotassium component of the working fluid is raised to a temperatureequal to or greater than the vaporization temperature thereof by theheat source 14 so that the liquid potassium is partially vaporized andbecomes a two-phase mixture, i.e., having both liquid and vapor phases.The two-phase working fluid passes as a vaporrich mixture, asschematically shown by dashed line 16, to a first expansion or nozzlemeans 18 which increases the kinetic energy of the working fluid byconverting the thermal energy of the partially vaporized working fluidinto kinetic energy so that an increased velocity, working fluid streamresults. A graph of the velocity profile of the MIID system isillustrated by FIG. 2; and see, in particular, velocity portion 18. Themercury component of the working fluid passes from the heat source andseparator unit 14 into conduit 20 and is conducted through similarpressure or flow regulators 22 and 24 for the controlled injection intothe working fluid stream. The mercury conducted through flow regulator22 is injected as a controlled quantity downstream of the nozzle meansat point 26. The controlled injection of mercury at point 26 results inan exothermic reaction between the injected quantity of 30 mercury andthe potassium working fluid stream. The resulting heat generated by thereaction raises the temperature of the injected quantity of mercury andvaporizes a portion of the potassium to elevate the vapor quality of theworking fluid stream to a desired and substantially constant value. Agraph of the vapor quality profile of the MI-ID system 10 is illustratedby FIG. 3; and see, in particular, vapor quality point 26.

A portion of the working fluid that passes through return conduit 12 isdirected through bypass conduit 30 and conducted through similarpressure or flow regulators 32 and 34 for the controlled injection intothe working fluid stream at selected points. As described hereinafter,the bypass portion of the working fluid is a liquid or liquid-richmixture. The bypass portion conducted through flow regulator 32 isinjected as a controlled quantity'downstream of injection point 26 atbypass injection point 36. In accordance with the general principles ofMI'ID systems such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,320,444, a portion ofthe vapor phase of the working fluid stream is condensed by mass heattransfer with the injected bypass portion (see FIG. 3 and vapor qualitypoint 36) and also that the kinetic energy of the vapor is transferredto the injected bypass portion (see FIG. 2 and velocity point 36);however, the total mass of the working fluid stream is increased. Agraph of the mass profile of the working fluid of the MI'ID system 10 isillustrated by FIG. 4; and see, in particular, mass point 36.

The working fluid stream, which is a vapor-rich mixture because of thecontrolled injections passes to a second nozzle means 40 which increasesthe kinetic energy of the working fluid by converting the thermal energyof the vapor-rich working fluid into kinetic energy. An increasedvelocity, working fluid steam again results (see FIG. 2 and velocityportion 40). The

bypass portion of the working fluid conducted through flow regulator 34is injected as a controlled quantity downstream of the second nozzlemeans 40 at bypass injection point 42. Again, a portion of the vaporphase of the working fluid stream is condensed by mass heat transfer(see FIG. 3 and vapor quality point 42) while the total mass of theworking fluid stream is again increased (see FIG. 4 and mass point 42).The mercury that is conducted through flow regulator 24 is injected as acontrolled injection at point 44 downstream of bypass injection point42. Again, the controlled injection of mercury at point 44 results in anexothermic reaction between the injected quantity of mercury and thepredominately potassium working fluid stream. The resulting heat fromthe exothermic reaction vaporizes a portion of the working fluid andincreases the vapor quality of the vapor-rich working fluid stream (seeFIG. 3 and vapor point 44).

The resulting working fluid passes to a third nozzle means 46 in the MHDsystem 10 of FIG. I which again increases the kinetic energy of theworking fluid by converting the thermal energy of the vapor-rich workingfluid into kinetic energy (see FIG. 2 and velocity portion 46).

In the MHD system 10 of FIG. 1, a portion of the working fluid passingthrough return conduit 12 to the heat source and separator unit 14 isdirected through a second bypass conduit 50 to a conventional heat sink52 which subcools the working fluid to a subcooled liquid state. Thesubcooled liquid, as a bypass portion, is conducted through a pressureor flow regulator 54 and injected into the working fluid stream at point56 which is downstream of the third nozzle means 46. This controlledinjection of subcooled liquid at point 56 into the vapor-rich workingfluid stream alters the electrical characteristics of the working fluidfrom a relatively inferior electrical conductor (vapor-rich fluid) to arelatively superior electrical conductor (liquid-rich fluid) so that aMI-ID generator section 58 of the MHD system 10 sees" an electricallyconductive working fluid (see FIG. 3 and vapor quality point 56) togenerate an electrical current that passes to an external load 60 whichis electrically connected to the Ml-ID generator.

The working fluid stream passes from the MI-ID generator 58 of the MHDsystem 10 of FIG. 1 into return conduit 12 and to the heat source andseparator unit 14. The working fluid, which is a liquid mixture ofpomsium and mercury in the MI-ID system 10 as shown and described, isheated in unit 14 to produce an endothermic reaction, and the potassiumand mercury components separated-all in a conventional manner inaccordance with known principles. The mercury component then passes intoconduit 20 while the vaporized potassium passes into conduit 16 tocomplete the cycle.

It is contemplated that the injection sequence of mercury and bypassportions of working fluid can be other than as has been described andshown without altering the desirable objectives obtained by the presentinvention.

Referring again briefly to FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, the MI-ID system 10 asshown by FIG. 1 develops an average velocity of the working fluid streamthat is substantially constant as graphically represented by FIG. 2while maintaining a substantially constant vapor quality as shown byFIG. 3. Further, the total mass of the working fluid stream issignificantly increased from the first nozzle means at 18 to the MHDgenerator 58 so that the electrical efficiency of the MHD generator issubstantially improved over those of the previously known MHD energyconversion systems.

Referring to FIG. 5, another form of magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) energyconversion system 70 is illustrated that utilizes a working fluid havingat least two components that are chemically reactive under controlledconditions so that a desired exothermic reaction can be developed atselected points in the MHD system.

The MHD system 70 of FIG. 5 has a return conduit 72 that passes aworking fluid of the system into a conventional heat source andseparator unit 74. The work ing fluid can have potassium (K) as a firstcomponent and mercury (Hg) as a second component, although it iscontemplated that other working fluids having multicomponents whichdevelop a desired exothermic reaction can also be used.

The potassium component of the working fluid is raised to a temperatureequal to or greater than the vaporization temperature of the potassiumby the heat source 74 so that the liquid potassium is partiallyvaporized and becomes a two-phase mixture that has both liquid and vaporphases but which is substantially vapor-rich. The vaporized potassiumcomponent of the working fluid passes through conduit 76 to a flowregulator 78 for the controlled and sequential injection into separatetanks 80 and 82 which are connected in parallel by conduits 84 and 86,respectively, with the flow regulator. The mercury component of theworking fluid passes through conduit 88 to a flow regulator 90 for thecontrolled and sequential injection into the tanks 80 and 82 which areconnected by conduits 92 and 94, respectively, with the flow regulator90.

In the MHD system 70 of FIG. 5, the working fluid of the system isselectively and sequentially discharged from the tanks 80 and 82. Tank80 discharges working fluid through a control valve 96 into eitherconduit 98 or conduit 100, while tank 82 discharges working fluidthrough a similar control valve 102 into either conduit 104 or conduit106. Conduits 98 and 106 connect the respective control valves 96 and102 to a conventional MHD generator section 108 that is electricallyconnected to an external load 110. Operatively, the tanks 80 and 82 ofthe MI-ID system 70 of HG. 5 are sequentially charged; however, forpurposes of clarity of description, the operating cycle begins with thecharging of tank 80. Tank 80 is charged with the vapor-rich potassiumworking fluid through flow regulator 78, and then a quantity of mercuryis injected by flow regulator 90 as a controlled injection into tank 80.The controlled injection of mercury results in an exothermic reactionbetween the potassium and mercury. The resulting heat that is generatedvaporizes the potassium liquid phase and elevates the vapor quality ofthe working fluid that is confined within tank 80. This results in apressure increase of the working fluid within tank 80 so that a highvelocity working fluid stream discharges through the MHD generator 108as control valve 96 selectively and sequentially connects the tank 80 tothe MHD generator. As control valve 96 discharges tank 80 through theMHD generator 108, control valve 102 selectively bypasses the workingfluid stream that passes from the MHD generator through conduit 106 andinto conduit 104, and thus into the return conduit 72. Tank 82, whichhas been charged with the vaporrich potassium working fluid through flowregulator 78, receives a quantity of mercury as a controlled injectionthrough flow regulator 90. Again, an exothermic reaction occurs andresults in a pressure increase of the working fluid within tank 82. Whenthe working fluid stream that discharges from tank 80 through the MHDgenerator 108 has substantially completed, passing through thegenerator, control valve 102 connects tank 82 to the MHD generator. Ascontrol valve 102 discharges tank 82 through the MHD generator 108,control valve 96 selectively bypasses the working fluid stream thatpasses from the generator through conduit 98 into conduit 100 and thusinto the return conduit 72. This sequential cycling between tanks 80 and82 then repeats as desired. A multiple number of tanks can be used, forexample as disclosed in US. Letters Pat. No. 3,549,915 issued Dec. 22,1970, since the MHD system of FIG. 5 schematically represents a portionof a total system. The high velocity working fluid that passes throughthe Ml-ID generator 108 generates an electrical current for the externalload 110. It is contemplated that additional MHD generators can beconnected, preferably in parallel, for the passage of the high velocityworking fluid that is sequentially discharged from the system tank ortanks.

The controlled discharge of high velocity working fluid from either tankor 82 of the MHD system 70 of FIG. 5 can also be discharged, as shown byFIG. 6, from tank 80A through control valve 96A to an expansion meanssuch as nozzle 112. The working fluid is discharged from the nozzle 112to ambient 114 in the open cycle system as illustrated.

One modification of the principle of the MHD energy conversion system 70of FIG. 5 is shown by FIG. 7. The energy conversion system of FIG. 7injects the vapor-rich potassium component of the working fluid throughconduit 122 into a piston cylinder 124, and the mercury component issequentially introduced or injected through conduit 126 into thecylinder where the resulting exothermic reaction develops a desiredpressure increase within the cylinder. This drives a piston 128 withinthe cylinder 124 and, in a conventional manner, transmits kinetic energyto a mechanical power system (not shown) through a connecting member130. The exhaust working fluid discharges through conduit 132 as thepiston 128 moves within the cylinder 124.

As will be evidenced from the foregoing description, certain aspects ofthe invention are not limited to the particular details of constructionas illustrated, and it is contemplated that other modifications andapplications will occur to those skilled in the art. It is, therefore,intended that the appended claims shall cover such modifications andapplications that do not depart from the true spirit and scope of theinvention.

Iclaim:

1. An energy conversion system comprising:

a. working fluid means having at least first and second separablecomponents developing an exothermic reaction when recombined,

b. heat source and separator means separating said first and secondcomponents of said working fluid means and increasing the vapor qualityof said first component,

c. injection means connected to said heat source and separator meansintroducing said second component into said first component so that theexothermic reaction of said first and second components increases thevapor quality and energy level of said working fluid means, and

d. energy conversion means receiving saidworking fluid means andconverting the energy of said working fluid means to a selected energyoutput from the energy conversion system.

2. The energy conversion system of claim 1 in which said working fluidmeans has potassium and mercury as said separable components.

3. The energy conversion system of claim 2 in which said first componentis potassium and said second component is mercury.

4. The energy conversion system of claim 1 in which said working fluidmeans has potassium and sodium as said separable components.

5. The energy conversion-system of claim 1 in which said energyconversion means is a magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) generator havingelectrical energy as said selected energy output.

6. The energy conversion system of claim 5 in which said energyconversion means further includes constant volume tank means for saidexothermic reaction of said first and second components and selecteddischarge from said tank means to said MHD generator.

7. The energy conversion system of claim 6 in which said constant volumetank means are a plurality of tanks sequentially discharged to said MHDgenerator.

8. The energy conversion system of claim 7 in which said plurality oftanks are connected in parallel.

9. The energy conversion system of claim 1 in which said energyconversion means is an expansion means discharging said working fluidmeans to ambient.

10. The energy conversion system of claim 9 in which said expansionmeans is a nozzle.

11. The energy conversion system of claim 1 in which said energyconversion means is a piston-andcylinder assembly where a cylinder ofsaid assembly contains said exothermic reaction of said first and secondcomponents and a piston of said assembly converts the energy of saidworking fluid means to a kinetic energy output.

12. The energy conversion system of claim 11 in which said working fluidmeans passes from said cylinder to said heat source and separator meansas a substantially closed-cycle energy conversion system.

13. An energy conversion system comprising:

a. working fluid means having at least first and second separablecomponents developing an exothermic reaction when recombined,

b. heat source and separator means separating said first and secondcomponents of said working fluid means and increasing the vapor qualityof said first component,

c. first energy conversion means receiving said first component anddeveloping a high velocity working fluid stream,

d. an exit region defined by said first energy conversion means," i

e. first injection means cooperating with said exit region andintroducing a controlled volume of said second component into said highvelocity working fluid stream so that the resulting exothermic reactionof said first and second components increases the vapor quality of saidworking fluid stream,

f. second injection means cooperating with said exit region andintroducing a controlled volume of said working fluid means into saidhigh velocity working fluid stream so that the mass of said stream isincreased,

g. second energy conversion means receiving said working fluid streamwith increased mass and developing a high velocity working fluid stream,

h. third energy conversion means receiving said working fluid streamfrom said second energy conversion means and defining an entrance regionand an exit region,

. third injection means cooperating with said entrance region of saidthird energy conversion means for the injection of a predeterminedvolume of working fluid means into said high velocity working fluidstream so that the electrical characteristics of said working fluidstream is increased,

j. said third energy conversion means extracting electrical energy fromsaid working fluid stream, and

k. conduit means passing said working fluid means from said third energyconversion means to said heat source and separator means.

14. The energy conversion system of claim 13 in which said first andsecond energy conversion means are first and second nozzles and saidthird energy conversion means is a magnetohydrodynamic generator.

15. The energy conversion system of claim 14 in which said thirdinjection means includes a heat sink so that said predetermined volumeof working fluid is subcooled.

16. The energy conversion system of claim 14 in which said injectionmeans include a flow regulator so that the desired controlled volumesare injected into the working fluid stream.

17. In an energy conversion system, the method of generating electricalenergy comprising:

a. increasing the vapor quality of a first component of a working fluidhaving at least first and second separable components that develop anexothermic reaction when combined,

b. decreasing the vapor quality of said first component by increasingthe velocity of said first component working fluid stream,

c. increasing the vapor quality of said working fluid stream byintroducing a controlled volume of said second component into said firstcomponent working fluid stream,

d. decreasing the vapor quality of said working fluid stream byincreasing the velocity of said working fluid stream,

e. altering the electrical characteristics of said working fluid streamby decreasing the vapor quality of the working fluid stream so that theworking fluid is electrically conductive, and

f. extracting electrical energy from the electrically conductive workingfluid stream.

18. The method of claim 17 in which the vapor quality of the workingfluid stream is further decreased by increasing the mass of the workingfluid stream.

1. An energy conversion system comprising: a. working fluid means havingat least first and second separable components developing an exothermicreaction when recombined, b. heat source and separator means separatingsaid first and second components of said working fluid means andincreasing the vapor quality of said first component, c. injection meansconnected to said heat source and separator means introducing saidsecond component into said first component so that the exothermicreaction of said first and second components increases the vapor qualityand energy level of said working fluid means, and d. energy conversionmeans receiving said working fluid means and converting the energy ofsaid working fluid means to a selected energy output from the energyconversion system.
 2. The energy conversion system of claim 1 in whichsaid working fluid means has potassium and mercury as said separablecomponents.
 3. The energy conversion system of claim 2 in which saidfirst component is potassium and said second component is mercury. 4.The energy conversion system of claim 1 in which said working fluidmeans has potassium and sodium as said separable components.
 5. Theenergy conversion system of claim 1 in which said energy conversionmeans is a magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) generator having electrical energyas said selected energy output.
 6. The energy conversion system of claim5 in which said energy conversion means further includes constant volumetank means for said exothermic reaction of said first and secondcomponents and selected discharge from said tank means to said MHDgenerator.
 7. The energy conversion system of claim 6 in which saidconstant volume tank means are a plurality of tanks sequentiallydischarged to said MHD generator.
 8. The energy conversion system ofclaim 7 in which said plurality of tanks are connected in parallel. 9.The energy conversion system of claim 1 in which said energy conversionmeans is an expansion means discharging said working fluid means toambient.
 10. The energy conversion system of claim 9 in which saidexpansion means is a nozzle.
 11. The energy conversion system of claim 1in which said energy conversion means is a piston-and-cylinder assemblywhere a cylinder of said assembly contains said exothermic reaction ofsaid first and second components and a piston of said assembly convertsthe energy of said working fluid means to a kinetic energy output. 12.The energy conversion system of claim 11 in which said working fluidmeans passes from said cylinder to said heat source and separator meansas a substantially closed-cycle energy conversion system.
 13. An energyconversion system comprising: a. working fluid means having at leastfirst and second separable components developing an exothermic reactionwhen recombined, b. heat source and separator means separating saidfirst and second components of said working fluid means and increasingthe vapor quality of said first component, c. first energy conversionmeans receiving said first component and developing a high velocityworking fluid stream, d. an exit region defined by said first energyconversion means, e. first injection means cooperating with said exitregion and introducing a controlled volume of said second component intosaid high velocity working fluid stream so that the resulting exothermicreaction of said first and second components increases the vapor qualityof said working fluid stream, f. second injection means cooperating withsaid exit region and introducing a controlled volume of said workingfluid means into said high velocity working fluid stream so that themass of said stream is increased, g. second energy conversion meansreceiving said working fluid stream with increased mass and developing ahigh velocity working fluid stream, h. third energy conversion meansreceiving said working fluid stream from said second energy conversionmeans and defining an entrance region and an exit region, i. thirdinjection means cooperating with said entrance region of said thirdenergy conversion means for the injection of a predetermined volume ofworking fluid means into said high velocity working fluid stream so thatthe electrical characteristics of said working fluid stream isincreased, j. said third energy conversion means extracting electricalenergy from said working fluid stream, and k. conduit means passing saidworking fluid means from said third energy conversion means to said heatsource and separator means.
 14. The energy conversion system of claim 13in which said first and second energy conversion means are first andsecond nozzles and said third energy conversion means is amagnetohydrodynamic generator.
 15. The energy conversion system of claim14 in which said third injection means includes a heat sink so that saidpredetermined volume of working fluid is subcooled.
 16. The energyconversion system of claim 14 in which said injection means include aflow regulator so that the desired controlled volumes are injected intothe working fluid stream.
 17. In an energy conversion system, the methodof generating electrical energy comprising: a. increasing the vaporquality of a first component of a working fluid having at least firstand second separable components that develop an exothermic reaction whencombined, b. decreasing the vapor quality of said first component byincreasing the velocity of said first component working fluid stream, c.increasing the vapor quality of said working fluid stream by introducinga controlled volume of said second component into said first componentworking fluid stream, d. decreasing the vapor quality of said workingfluid stream by increasing the velocity of said working fluid stream, e.altering the electrical characteristics of said working fluid stream bydecreasing the vapor quality of the working fluid stream so that theworking fluid is electrically conductive, and f. extracting electricalenergy from the electrically conductive working fluid stream.
 18. Themethod of claim 17 in which the vapor quality of the working fluidstream is further decreased by increasing the mass of the working fluidstream.
 19. The method of claim 18 in which the mass is increased byinjecting a controlled volume of working fluid into the working fluidstream.
 20. The method of claim 17 in which the mass is increased andthe electrical characteristics of said working fluid stream altered byinjecting a controlled volume of subcooled working fluid into theworking fluid stream.